Jimmy Choo’s Post

New Blog Post! More of a thank you letter to Sandra Duff Anderson! Join me as I talk about one of the biggest influences of my childhood. It takes a lot to build a village, but it will only be done with people who are willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. "As I reflect on God's Church Christian Academy (GCCA), I can't help but ask the question, "Was it a better school than Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary would have been for me or Wilkerson Middle for my sister?" If I'm honest, the answer to that question is probably not, but it's complicated. GCCA wasn't a wealthy school, nor a segregation academy (schools started after the 1954 Brown v Board ruling meant to curb integration); it was an all-Black school founded to provide hope and second chances. GCCA was in an older building and housed students from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. It was a large red brick building with a basketball court across the street and always seemed full of life and energy. Its original purpose was either a large church or a small school, but my memory fails me to recall its original design. I had many experiences there. I will share a few enjoyable memories, but here are a few, shall I say, traumatic ones that shaped my childhood at this school." #communitybuilders #communitybuilding #servantleadership #teachers https://lnkd.in/era8GuYa

Leadership

Anti-racism isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a revolutionary act of love for our nation. It’s about dismantling systems of oppression that have plagued our society for far too long. It’s about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of the color of their skin. Education is our greatest tool in this fight. Anti-racist education challenges the status quo and empowers future generations to create a more just and equitable society. It’s about teaching our children to critically examine the world around them and to stand up against injustice wherever they see it. To Socratically question American paradoxes through the lens of justice is to honor the legacy of our nation’s greatest thinkers. From Emerson to Morrison, these trailblazers have dared to challenge the status quo and envision a more perfect union. We walk in the footsteps of giants when we embrace anti-racism and culturally responsive teaching. So let us stand together, hand in hand, and declare that we will not rest until every voice is heard, every life is valued, and every dream is within reach. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, and let us do it with love, compassion, and unwavering dedication to American democracy. #StandTogether #BeTheChange #LoveOverHate #JusticeForAll #AmericanValues #EqualityForAll #EducationForChange #Empowerment #FutureLeaders #SocraticWisdom #CriticalThinking #AmericanLegacy #LegacyOfGreatness #Inspiration #ChangeMakers https://lnkd.in/etYS-_ke

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) allocated $190 billion in federal funding to the nation’s schools, from prekindergarten (pre-K) to 12th grade—a resource pool that could be used to advance racial-equity investments in education. But the clock is ticking: the funds must be obligated by September 2024. The McKinsey & Company has released a report with six actions that leaders of school systems and their communities could take to use the remaining ESSER funding to advance racial equity in education. These six actions are: 1. Strengthening core early-literacy instructional practices 2. Using an equity framework to allocate resources 3. Increasing instructional time for students who need it most 4. Ensuring access to high-quality prekindergarten 5. Providing wraparound services for families and communities 6. Addressing school racial, ethnic, and economic divisions Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gtx7DUJE To learn more about ESSER in Utah and for resources visit Raise Up Utah here: https://raiseuputah.org/ #belonginutah #ESSER

📣 This Friday: Join us for our webinar "Strategies to Support Smooth Transitions to Higher Education" as we highlight Georgia’s EMBARK program with presenters from Kennesaw State University and the University of Georgia. ✍️ Sign up ➡️ https://bit.ly/452EO1f We'll dive into strategies for K12 and higher education partners to support active recruitment of #homeless and #foster youth, and how K12 systems can support college transition with ARP #ESSER and ARP-HCY funds, as well as how to build partnerships, summer bridge programs, and campus support programs. #homelessness

John Eaves, Ph.D., I wanted to thank you for sharing your outstanding efforts. Your passion for combating antisemitism is truly inspiring and I am sharing your message with my #network. In light of the Israel-Hamas War, there has been an increase in hate crimes which are having a negative impact on various communities (domestic and internationally). It is imperative that we work together to promote #understanding and #tolerance and to address these issues with sensitivity and #compassion. As we approach the month of May, nearly seven years ago, Neo-Nazis marched through Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting “Jews will not replace us” while holding torches and spewing the same hateful rhetoric that was heard in Europe during the 1930s. The horror of that moment, the violence that followed, and the threat it represented to American democracy drove my passion to serve. Since then, numerous attacks on Jewish Americans and other groups have occurred, shaking our moral conscience as Americans and challenging the values for which we stand. That is why I support the efforts of my office, #CP3, and the #USG to bring communities from across the country together to combat hate in all its forms, including the persistent scourge of antisemitism. We must stand #united, regardless of our backgrounds and beliefs, and affirm that an attack on any one group is an attack on us all. Hate should have no place in America. It's important that we all work together to ensure that our country remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Antisemitism not only threatens the Jewish community but all Americans. Those who peddle these antisemitic conspiracy theories and fuel racial, ethnic, and religious hatred against Jews also target other communities, including #Black and brown Americans, #AsianAmericans, #NativeHawaiians and #PacificIslanders, #LGBTQI+ individuals, #MuslimAmericans, #women, and #girls. We must never allow these hateful voices to become normal or normalized.

Free Virtual Learning Series...

Are you registered? This national event brings together education leaders from across the country, offering a unique opportunity to learn about best governance practices, gain insights into child development, and explore cutting-edge programs and technology to enrich student learning. I will be presenting about the Heritage Program and how we have countered systemic barriers in education within our school and district through the Heritage Program and intentionally targeting educational inequities that have historically affected Black students. Educational Disparities Navigating A-G & College Requirements Access to AP/Dual Enrollment Classes Mentorship and Guidance Counseling -Perception Gap Barriers Benefits of Higher Education Visible Representation in Higher Education and Careers Community Engagement-School-Parent-Community -Economic Barriers Breaking down Costs of Higher Ed/Award Letters Perceptions of Viable Career Paths with Higher Education Comparing Employment Opportunities without a Degree -Fostering a Culture of Educational Achievement Celebrations/Awards for academic achievement -District Initiatives and Systemic Changes Putting District Resources/Funding behind programs that work to improve equity Policy changes that address systemic issues https://lnkd.in/gSj79k-M #nsba2024

The #NAACP dropped a resolution on charter schools, and some folks are acting like Black people can’t have a mind of their own. You can be Black. You can be proud. And you can DEFINITELY want to choose your child’s school. #SorryNotSorry this ain’t just about charter schools, it’s about choice. For Black families, opportunity hasn’t always been abundant. We’ve had to fight for everything we have, including the right to choose what’s best for our kids. This isn’t about abandoning public schools, it’s about having options. The narrative around charter schools used to have me singing the same tune. Grandparents were educators, I led racial justice movements – the anti-charter school message was all I knew. Times change, and education needs to evolve too. Some public schools are amazing, some... not so much. Choice empowers parents to find the environment where their child can thrive. This isn’t about blind support for charter schools – it’s about demanding quality education for ALL kids, regardless of zip code or race. #EquityInEducation So, let’s move beyond the stereotypes. Black families deserve a seat at the table, a voice in their child’s education, and the right to choose the path to success. What are your thoughts on school choice? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments! #UnitedWeEducate #BlackExcellence #SchoolChoiceForTheFuture #PowerToThePeople #EveryKidThrives #BreakingTheCycle https://lnkd.in/eh8qWXB8